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Sunderland and Northumberland both also saw the number of people receiving treatment hitting a six-year high, with around 1,235 people being treated in 2014/15 in Sunderland, up 21% from 1,021 the previous year, and around 994 in Northumberland, up 22% from 815.

Mrs Taylor added: “Some of the biggest problems we have with alcohol misuse in our communities stem from cheap, high strength drinks like white cider and spirits, being sold at pocket money prices.

“The introduction of a minimum unit price would help prevent products such as three litre bottles of white cider, containing an equivalent 22 shots of vodka, being sold for under £4.”